Hagar and the God who sees

Hagar was an Egyptian slave to Abraham and Sarah. A slave with little power to resist when Sarah gave her to her husband in order to have a child through her. Despite being a slave, her pride overtook her, and she paid dearly for that mistake. As soon as Hagar discovered her pregnancy, she began to lord it over Sarah, who in turn, mistreated her so badly that Hagar ran into the vast desert to escape. Her story is told in Genesis 16 and Genesis 21:8-21. What is her story? What were her strengths and weaknesses? What are the lessons we can take from her experience?

Her story begins as a slave, given to Abraham and Sarah when they left Egypt. It was a common practice in which slaves were often captives from war, given to pay debts, purchases and in some cases, voluntary. Sarah must have had some affection for Hagar in order to chose her as her surrogate. What was her reaction to Sarah’s plan? Was she disgusted? Abraham was an old man and she was a young girl. Was she afraid? She may have thought about the consequences if she too couldn’t conceive. I don’t know if her reaction would have been happiness or joy. She may have wanted to say no and resist but having very little power, she would ultimately have to going along with Sarah’s plan. The pregnant Hagar began to despise Sarah, although the Bible doesn’t tell us why, but I think we could speculate her reasons. Perhaps her lose of control. She was having a child that she didn’t chose to have and technically wouldn’t be hers to raise. He or she would be raised as Abraham’s and Sarah’s child, not Abraham’s and Hagar’s. Although, ultimately, she raises her son, Ishmael as Sarah would send them away once Isaac arrived (Genesis 21:10). She is last seen in Scripture, securing a wife for her son (Genesis 21:21).

Hagar’s main strength is she obeyed God’s voice as soon as she heard it (Genesis 16:13) as she recognized that God is the one who sees her and now, she sees Him. One of Hagar’s main weaknesses is that she ran when things got tough. She ran when Sarah began to mistreat her.  Running away into a barren and unpopulated desert shows her desperation to escape. Anything or anywhere was better than being mistreated by Sarah and, by his indifference, Abraham (Genesis 16:6). Escape is usually our most tempting solution to life’s problems. To run and hide with the hopes that with time, they will disappear. Escape is only a temporary fix, ultimately, we all must turn around and face the music. Although Hagar’s problem was caused by someone else, she couldn’t run from it. Another weakness, her pregnancy, and later her son, brought our strong feelings of pride and arrogance that she was mistreated by Sarah and later banished with her son from the camp (Genesis 16:4 and Genesis 21:8-10).

There are two lessons we can take from Hagar’s story. First, God is faithful to his plan and promises, even when humans complicate the process. Abraham and Sarah were promised a child (Genesis 15:4) and when it didn’t happen on Sarah’s timeline, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Even though Ishmael wasn’t the promised son, He did promise Hagar that her son would be the father of a great nation (Genesis 21:18). Second, God shows himself as one who knows us and wants us to know Him. After she became pregnant and ran from Sarah, God sent an angel who told her God’s plan for her child, a son to be named Ishmael (Genesis 16:11-12). God called out to Hagar again after she and Ishmael had been banished from the camp. He repeated his promises that Ishmael would be the father of a great nation and opened her eyes to a well in the desert so that they may survive (Genesis 21:17-19).

In conclusion, Hagar was a woman who had very little say or power in what happened to her. As a slave, she couldn’t refuse her mistress’s demands and when things got tough, she ran from her troubles. She was also a woman who heard God’s voice and responded immediately. She had great faith in Him when everyone around her had failed. From her story, we learn that God is faithful to his plan and promises. God also sees and knows us and wants us to see and know Him. The same God who saw Hagar in the desert and recused her, not once but twice, is still the God who sees you today.

For further study,

I recommend Hagar: Rediscovering the God who Sees Me

by Shadia Hrichi

which is available in paperback and eBook

Frozen II: a decent sequel

Frozen 2 was released into theaters on November 27, 2019 and is the sequel to smash hit Frozen (2013). Many from the original film return for its sequel. Directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and composer Christophe Beck all return. As well as actors Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad and Jonathan Geoff returns as their characters: Anna, Elsa, Olaf and Kristoff. Frozen 2 is set three years after the original film when a new threat comes to Arendelle and it is up to Anna and Elsa to save the day. The movie is currently on DVD, Blu-Ray and streaming on Disney+. As I do with all my movie reviews, I will give a spoiler free synopsis and discuss what I did and didn’t like about the film.

The movie opens as King Agnar tells a story to a young Anna and Elsa about their grandfather, King Runeard, who established a treaty with the neighboring tribe of Northuldra who resides in the Enchanted Forest. Soon after, a fight occurs, resulting in Runeard’s death and enraging the elemental spirits of the forest. The spirits disappeared and a wall of mist traps everyone in the Enchanted Forest. Agnar barely escapes due to a mysterious savior, Fast forward to present day, life is going well in Arendelle. Until one night, Elsa hears a mysterious voice call out to her. After much resistance, she decides to follow it and causes the elemental spirits to awaken which forces everyone out of the kingdom. Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven embark on a journey to the Enchanted Forest to save the people of Arendelle and discover who the mysterious siren who calls to Elsa.

There are three major elements that I liked about the film. First, the story is great. Anna and Elsa discover the story they’ve been told about their grandfather and the Enchanted Forest may not be exactly the truth. In order to save Arendelle, they must discover what went wrong and the right that wrong. It also explains that there are three sides to the story: one side’s version, the other side’s version and somewhere in the middle is the truth. Second, I liked that there wasn’t a stereotypical “villain.” The fight is against the past and the attempts to right a wrong as much as anyone can. Although this was criticism in many reviews I read, I liked that the characters weren’t up against an evil person. Third, the idea that water has memory. Even though science has proven this to not be the case (but since when is science important in a fairy tale?), it is a theme I have heard before. Along with the idea that water is healing, having memory helps Anna and Elsa discover the truth behind the events which caused the Enchanted Forest to be sealed off and what they need to do to solve the problem.

There are a couple elements of the film that I didn’t care for. First, the music wasn’t on par with the original film. While “Into the Unknown” is a good song, it didn’t have the same impact as “Let it Go.” Olaf’s song, “When I am Older” had the same musical style of his song, “In Summer” from the first time. “In Summer” was a more enjoyable song as it was comedic as to Olaf’s blissful ignorance. “When I am Older” tried to capture that same comedic ignorance, but I feel it fell short. The music wasn’t bad and was enjoyable but wasn’t on the same lines of the first film. Second, Frozen 2 may not be as rewatchable as the first film. My daughter, who was 2 when she saw the first film had watched it over and over for years. Now she is 8 and enjoyed the first viewing of Frozen 2, but quickly got bored when watching it a second time.

In conclusion, Disney has always had a hit and miss history with it comes to sequels. The majority of their film’s sequels were direct to video. The Toy Story franchise has been insanely popular (although I would argue that the fourth film as not necessary) and broke the mold that sequels couldn’t be successful in theaters. Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) wasn’t as good as it’s original film and an unnecessary sequel. I enjoyed Frozen 2 for its story and, some level, the music. However, it wasn’t as memorable as its predecessor. I don’t see many children annoying the adults with their constant singing of “Into the Unknown” as they did with “Let it Go.” I do recommend Frozen 2. If you enjoyed the first film, you may enjoy its sequel.

A Prophetic Calendar: linking the festivals of Israel to Jesus the Messiah

A Prophetic Calendar: The Feasts of Israel by Jill Shannon is a powerful book that takes the reader through the Feasts of Israel and how each one points to Jesus, his life and his second coming. It also paints a wonderful picture of God’s timeless desire to draw all people to Him and have an intimate relationship with them. Ms. Shannon sets out to detail how the seven festivals all foreshadow the life and ministry of Jesus the Messiah and goes in depth on the origins and details of how each festival is celebrated. She details how each festival can be celebrated today in a world and culture dictated by busyness and work. Details from each festival are thoroughly examined for their symbolism and meaning, Ms. Shannon uses Scripture as evidence that the requirements for the festivals aren’t random and point to Jesus as the Messiah and Lamb of God. From the festivals laid out in Leviticus and the festivals of deliverance in celebration from historical events, readers can appreciate that God has left no detail to chance. Even the importance of celebrating the Sabbath, which means a day to cease and desist, whatever day you choose to celebrate it. Let the Sabbath be a day to focus on the Lord.

A Prophetic Calendar is a great book for Christians who want to know more and possibly celebrate these festivals. She uses Scripture, historical records and her own personal experiences to provide an experience of each festival as many Christians may not ever experienced before. Overall, I enjoyed the book and Ms. Shannon’s in depth examination of every detail. Although, she kept repeating that the Jewish holidays are hard to find on a “normal” calendar which isn’t true. My yearly calendar always has the major holidays like Passover, Purim, Yom Kippur, etc. Although I disagreed with a few of her statements, I found her to be insightful and genuine. I recommend for anyone who wants to know more about the history of the festivals and their link to Jesus.

A Prophetic Calendar

is available in paperback and eBook

Good White Racist: interesting premise but doesn't apply to all white people

Good White Racist?: Confronting Your Role in Racial Injustice by Kerry Connelly is a book “by a white person for white people.” A good white racist is defined as “a well-intentioned person of European descent who is nonetheless complicit in a culture of systemic racism.” It is a white person who would acknowledges that racism is evil but stays silent against racism rather than confront injustices and racism. According to Ms. Connelly, most white Americans are obsessed with two things: defending their own inherent goodness and maintaining their comfort levels. So, to be a racist, one must be openly hateful and discriminatory; however, Ms. Connelly sets out to show that being racist is more than saying racial slurs to be an accomplice in America’s inequality. In Good White Racist?, Ms. Connelly exposes how she feels white people participate in, benefit from, and unknowingly continue racism, regardless of their best intentions. Using examples from history, sociology, psychology, education and economics as well as personal experiences, Ms. Connelly shows how racism still thrives in the American society. She attacks and counters the common defense statements that many white American would make. Each chapter ends with an Active Learning section to Learn, Think and Act for further discussion and contemplation. Certified as a life coach, Ms. Connelly, is the author of the “no nonsense Jersey girl, JESUS blog and host of podcast White on White” and currently pursuing a Master’s in Divinity at the Christian Theological Seminary. Are you a Good White Racist? If so, how can you help stop the system of inequality in America?

Good White Racist? is a hard book to read. Ms. Connelly doesn’t pull any punches and hits right where most white Americans feel comfortable and safe. Designed to make the white readers uncomfortable, I was prepared for those feelings. And sometimes she hit the nail on its head, and I had to nod and agree, yes, that happens and yes, I do know people who act the ways she describes. However, I don’t agree with all her statements; however, I know she would probably write off my comments because I am white and another example of a white person pushing aside the issue. There are parts I feel she has written to minorities to show that she, as a white Christian, truly understands which misses the mark if it is a book for white people, why would a person of color even read it? I also didn’t like the fact that she curses in the book. At one point, she assumes the white person reading the book would be more upset at the curse word than the statement itself. I do not feel that authors need to curse in order to make a statement impactful. There are better ways to emphasize the horror of a statement without throwing the F-bomb. Plus, I hate slang. I don’t care who uses it and the author likes to show how hip she is by using slang and, to me, it cheapens her mission. I do like that she challenges the “I don’t see race. I am color-blind” statement of many whites to show how non-racist they are. I applaud Ms. Connelly’s attempts to shine a bright light on the issue; however, I feel she has ignored the growing number of interracial families. Overall, Good White Racist? is a good book and I recommend it.

Good White Racist?

is available in paperback

March 16: the Day of the Book Smugglers

March 16^th is celebrated to commemorate the Lithuanian book smugglers. A group of brave and ingenious individuals defied a ban and created an underground smuggler network to preserve the Lithuanian language. The ban resulted from Soviet occupation and sough, through militaristic efforts, to enforce Russification including a mandate that the Latin alphabet be replaced with the Cyrillic alphabet (Schwartz, 2015). It is one story of how a people refused to have their culture and their identity wiped away. The Book Smugglers became a symbol of Lithuania resistance to Russification. What were the series of events which led to the need to preserve their language? Who were the most famous figures of the smuggling networks? How are they remembered today?  

After the Polish-Lithuanian insurrection of 1863, Russia intensified efforts to Russify the Lithuanian populations and alienate it from its historic roots, including the Roman Catholic faith. In 1866, Tsar Alexander II issued a ban on printing or importing printed matter in Lithuania in hopes to eradicate the native language (Schwartz, 2015). The book smugglers, including Motiejus Valancius, the Bishop of Zemaitija and Jurgis Bielinis, organized efforts to print and distribute Lithuanian language texts throughout the country. When one system was exposed, 5 priests and 2 book smugglers were exiled to Siberia (Schwartz, 2015); however, another network would quickly be in its place. By the 1900s, it was obvious the ban had failed, and the policy was officially lifted in 1904 and completely abolished following the Russian defeat during the Russo-Japanese War (8 February 1904 – 5 September 1905). It is estimated that between 30,000-40,000 books were smuggled annually with only one-third being seized by authorities.

As mentioned above, Motiehus Valancius (1801-1875) was the Bishop of Zemaitija. He made every effort to undermine the Russification and the tactics used to enforce the government’s policies. He is especially known for his efforts to finance the printing and distribution of books in the Lithuanian language. He would organize “the first large-scale attempt to smuggle books across the Lithuanian border” (Waters, 2017). Jurgis Bielinis (1846-1918) was one of the main organizers and most famous book smuggler. He is informally referred to as the King of Book Carriers (Waters, 2017) as he was active for 32 years and while he had been arrested five times, he was never tried or sentenced which helped him develop a folk hero reputation. To avoid being caught, he rarely stayed in more than one place for long, living a nomadic life moving from one sympathetic family to another. Juozas Masiulis, one of the book smugglers, opened his own bookstore in 1905 once the ban was lifted.

The book smugglers became an important part of the Lithuanian National Revival following the dissolution of the Soviet union, and were honored with museums, monuments and street names. There is a special relationship of Lithuanians and books that can be seen in the Vilnius Book Fair, a highly popular event which is held every February. After Lithuania gained its independence following the Russia Revolution (8 March 1917 – 16 June 1923), the people built a statue in then-capital of Kaunas, dedicated to “The Unknown Book Smuggler” (Schwartz, 2015). Jurgis Beilinis’ birthday, March 16, was chosen as the commemoration date for the Day of the Book Smugglers. In 1988, the Lithuanian Knygnešiai Association was established at the Lithuanian Culture Foundation. Among its goals was to collect information about all Lithuanian book smugglers and printers. In 1997, the "Book Smugglers' Wall” was unveiled at the Vytautas, the Great War Museum.

In conclusion, March 16^th is a day of celebration in Lithuania as they honor the courageous and brave Lithuanians who risked their lives in order to preserve their culture heritage in their language and their books. A Catholic bishop, Motiehus Valancius organized a network of book smugglers as well as other activities in the fight against Russian occupation. Jurgis Bielinis is a folk hero, a smuggler who was active for 32 years and avoided severe punishments. Juozas Masiulis, another book smuggler, became a bookstore owner once the ban was lifted. Lithuania has built numerous monuments to honor and remember the bravery of the book smugglers. Let’s join Lithuania as they honor and remember these brave individuals.

References

Schwartz, Dana (March 30, 2015). The Fascinating History of Lithuania’s Day of the Book Smugglers. Mental Floss. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/62554/fascinating-history-lithuanias-day-book-smugglers. Retrieved March 10, 2020.

Waters, Michael (July 19, 2017). The 19th-Century Lithuanians Who Smuggled Books to Save Their Language. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/lithuanian-book-smugglers. Retrieved March 10, 2020.

The Unwanted Heiress: unfortunately, a boring story

The Unwanted Heiress by Amy Corwin is the first book in the Archer Family Regency romance series. It is the story of an American heiress that no one wants and a duke who is desired by every woman around him and yet he desires none of them. The story opens as Nathaniel Archer, the Duke of Peckham is playing cards with his uncle at a gentleman’s club when his uncle wins the guardianship of an American heiress. Charlotte Haywood has been bounced from household to household since her parents died when she was three years old. Now 21, she is three years from gaining her inheritance and her freedom. Since he is used to every woman clamoring for his attention, he is suspicious of Charlotte’s indifference. Surely, it’s a ploy to catch him off guard. Charlotte is truly unimpressed by his title and wants nothing to do with England. As soon as she can, she wants to travel and leave dreary England far behind her. The two are throw together after a young woman who was trying to capture Nathanial’s attention is murdered and Nathanial’s attitude toward women makes him an instant suspect. Can they prove his innocence? Is the killer after Charlotte too?

The Unwanted Heiress was previously published as I Bid One American and I am sad to say it was a very boring book. I’ve read romance novels before where the male protagonist is uninterested in marriage and the heroine has no desire to be swept off her feet by money and title. It’s a formula that has been used before. Unfortunately, this story is not live up to it’s description. Very early on, it was difficult to get must the author’s misspelling of a famous England town. The author spelled the name of town as Brighten when the town is Brighton. The story showed a lack of real research in what English society during the Regency era would have been like. The hunt for the real killer and prove Nathanial’s innocence was anticlimactic. As I read, I found myself not caring about Nathanial or Charlotte or if they catch the real killer. I did not like The Unwanted Heiress and I do not recommend it.

The Unwanted Heiress

is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Today in History: FDR's first Fireside Chat

March 12, 1933 marks the first of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats. The Fireside Chats were an evening radio address given by the president between 1933 and 1944 on various topics from the economy, the New Deal initiatives and later the progress of WWII. Remembered as a great communicator, FDR’s Fireside Chats kept him in high regard with the American people throughout his presidency and he used radio to quickly spread word about his policies and actions of government. Each chat lasted between 13-44 minutes and allowed him to directly speak to the American people as a friend speaks to another friend.

Radio was fast overtaking newspapers as a major source of information. In 1932, 42% of Americans had radios in their homes (Biser, 2016). President Roosevelt wasn’t the first president to utilize the radio, President Calvin Coolidge used the radio to deliver President Warren G. Harding’s eulogy and President Herbert Hoover used the radio to as a campaign tool (Biser, 2016). Roosevelt felt the newspapers were controlled by his opponents; therefore, couldn’t trust them to provide the public with the correct information. Eight days after his inauguration, he gave the first Fireside Chat as president. In the first chat, he discussed how and why the banking crisis occurred and the resulting bill, the Emergency Banking Act. As a result of this first chat, there was a great turnaround in the public’s confidence. Within 2 weeks of the chat, people took the money they were hoarding and deposited back in the banks. In future chats, he appeals to listeners for help in getting the initiatives passed and the audience responded. Letters would pour into legislators, urging their support for all measures that the president proposed. There are many different theories about who coined the term, “fireside chat,” some sources cite Stephen Early, the president’s press secretary (Higgins, 2018), while others cite CBS station manager Harold Butcher (Biser, 2016).

Many historians agree that President Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats were different from other presidential radio speeches before for many reasons. First, Roosevelt kept the speech of each chat informal. He would address the audience as “My friends” or “My fellow Americans.” He liked to use common analogies and informal conversational speech. 80% of the words he used were the thousand most used in English; so that even the uneducated listening could understand and follow his plan. Second, the chats allowed a level of intimacy and importance to the people that they were truly a part of the governmental process than ever before. One listener wrote to the White House stating, “It made me feels as though you were really one of use” (Biser, 2016). As a result, the American people trusted Roosevelt like no other president before. Lastly, for many Americans, chats were a source of comfort. A reassurance that the president had a steady hand on the wheel during the crises of the Great Depression and, later, World War II (Biser, 2016). He would often urge the American people to face the difficult times with patience, understanding and faith.

Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats began a presidential precedence that every president after him would utilize. With periodic speeches, addressing the American people, first by radio, then television and later the internet. On October 5, 1947, President Harry S. Truman would be the first president to address the American people by television (History.com Editors, 2019) as well as other presidential firsts. The practice of a regularly schedule address began in 1983 with President Ronald Regan who would deliver a radio broadcast every Saturday. Roosevelt was one of the first presidents to appeal to the American people as a friend and fellow American a tactic that many politicians today are trying to recreate. Today, politicians hold town hall meetings, an intimate setting, for the public to voice their concerns, hear the politicians take on upcoming legislation or regulation or other various topics concerning their communities or the nation. If they connect with their audience, the way Roosevelt did is often a matter of opinion.

In conclusion, today marks an important day in history as President Roosevelt held the first of his Fireside Chats. The utilization of a new media and the skills of a great communicator, Roosevelt was able to gather support for his policies from the American people who saw him as the great leader to help pull the country out of the Great Depression and later victory in WWII. He spoke as a friend, a neighbor and fellow American. By using the radio, Roosevelt avoided being misquoted or misrepresented as the newspapers often do. Today, politicians try to appeal to the American people as Roosevelt did, some are successful, and others are not.

References

Biser, Margaret (August 19, 2016). The Fireside Chats: Roosevelt's Radio Talks

the White House speaks to America. The White House Historical Association. https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-fireside-chats-roosevelts-radio-talks. Retrieved March 10, 2020.

Higgins, Chris (March 12, 2018). On This Day in 1933, FDR Gave His First Fireside Chat. Mental Floss. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/93076/day-1933-fdr-gave-his-first-fireside-chat. Retrieved March 10, 2020.

History.com Editors (October 2, 2019). Harry Truman delivers first-ever presidential speech on TV. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-presidential-speech-on-tv. Retrieved March 10, 2020.